Aug 18, 2014 7:28 PM

This is the caterpillar of the Lime Hawk-moth - they are usually quite a bright green colour, which affords them camouflage up in the leaves but when they are about to pupate they take a wander down the tree and across the ground - in this pre-pupatory stage this purplish colour is better camouflage for this journey. They always keep their characteristic blue horn though.